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In the second webinar of the Interreg Italy–France project, architects Paola Riezzo and Davide Porta from the MEDSEA Foundation explained how marine and agricultural waste can be turned into new objects for public spaces through ecodesign and additive manufacturing.

Plastron was launched to build a circular economy model that recovers plastic waste from coastlines, ports and the sea, turning it into a resource for local communities.

Ecodesign as a Method and Cultural Shift

During the webinar, Paola Riezzo and Davide Porta emphasized that ecodesign is not simply about choosing recycled materials, but rather a systemic approach that considers the entire life cycle of a product: from the origin of raw materials to maintenance, repair and reuse.

The aim is not only to design objects, but also to encourage new sustainable practices and behaviors. From this perspective, action cannot be limited to cleaning up the seas: it is essential to intercept plastic before it spreads further into the environment, enhancing its value through recovery and transformation processes.

Additive manufacturing makes it possible to localize production, speed up prototyping and reduce waste and overproduction. It also offers greater design flexibility and supports the creation of modular, repairable objects.

Urban Micro-Interventions and Design for the City

The design approach draws inspiration from concepts such as tactical urbanism and parasitic design, with the aim of developing lightweight, reversible micro-infrastructures that can integrate into public space by using existing elements such as lampposts or railings.

Proposals currently under development include modular bicycle racks and parking devices for e-scooters, designed for schools and public facilities as well.

Plastron and New European Directives

The project fits within the framework of the new European guidelines under the Ecodesign Regulation, which promote more durable, repairable products designed to reduce waste and scrap. Plastron aims to turn this shift into real-world solutions, raising environmental awareness and actively engaging local communities, schools and stakeholders in the material transformation process.